J.D./M.P.S. Program

The University of Miami School of Law and the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science (RSMAS) offer a joint degree program in law and marine affairs and policy. Upon completion of this program, a student earns the Juris Doctor degree from the School of Law and a Master of Professional Science in Marine Affairs from RSMAS, ranked as one of the top five geoscience institutions in the United States.

The M.P.S. degree allows students to focus their course work in one of three areas:

Aquaculture Track: Focus on the environmental, technological, social, economic, legal and political aspects of sustainable aquaculture.

Marine Conservation Track: Design a curriculum around personal career goals while focusing on innovative solutions to current marine ecosystem threats. This track combines science, law, economics, and policy to foster the conservation of marine ecosystems.

Students who apply for the joint J.D./M.P.S. program must apply to both the School of Law and to RSMAS, Division of Marine Affairs and Policy. Prospective students must achieve a qualifying score on the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT) and on the General Graduate Record Examination (GRE) for admission to the respective schools.

An applicant must notify both schools that he or she is applying for the joint J.D./M.P.S. program and, in order to remain in the joint program, must meet the minimum standards of both schools.

A student may complete requirements for both degrees within seven regular semesters or, subject to course availability, in an intensive program of six regular semesters and two full summers. The joint degree program saves a student 12 credits over wholly separate degrees. An individual would essentially complete 82 credits (rather than the normal 88) in law courses and 24 credits (rather than the normal 30) in marine affairs and policy courses for a total of 106 credits in order to receive the J.D. and the M.P.S. degrees.

The student's work in the joint degree program, whether connected with a course, seminar or individual research project at the School of Law or the Rosenstiel School, must result in a substantial research project of publishable quality in marine law or policy or related scientific issues. Students may use their required upper-class research paper at the School of Law to fulfill this requirement.

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

Students also must complete at least 12 credits from among the following courses or seminars:

Administrative Law (3 credits)

Admiralty (3 credits)

Alternative Dispute Resolution (3 credits)

Conflict of Laws (3 credits)

Everglades/Ecosystem Restoration Seminar (2 credits)

International Environmental Law (3 credits)

Land Use Law (3 credits)

Marine Ecology and the Law (3 credits)

Maritime Personal Injury (3 credits)

Marine Pollution Seminar (2 credits)

Natural Resources and Energy Law (3 credits)

Wetlands (1 credit)

Individual research in related fields (3 credits maximum)

Seminars in related fields

Master of Professional Science in Marine Affairs & Policy (M.P.S.)

A student in the joint J.D./M.P.S. program also must complete 24 credits of courses in marine
affairs from among the following:

Advanced Study in Marine Affairs (3 credits maximum)

Aquaculture Management (3 credits)

Coastal Zone Management (3 credits)

Economics of Natural Resources (3 credits)

Environmental Planning and Environmental Impact Statement (3 credits)

Fieldwork in Coastal Cultures (3 credits)

Fisheries Economics (3 credits)

Geographical Information Systems (3 credits)

Marine Culture Resource Management (3 credits)

Ocean Policy (3 credits)

Political Ecology of Marine Resources (3 credits)

Other approved courses at the Rosenstiel School such as the RSMAS core courses.

This course list will be updated from time to time and students should consult with a faculty advisor, or other designated person, prior to registering for any course not specifically listed above, or to ensure a course not listed will be credited toward this degree. RSMAS, Division of Marine Affairs & Policy makes no representation that all of the above courses will be available to any given student at all times during the course of his or her studies.

For more information:

Sandy Abraham
Executive Liaison, Interdisciplinary Programs and Initiatives
University of Miami School of LawTel: 305-284-4030E-mail:sabraham@law.miami.edu

Alex Babcock discusses why she chose Miami Law so she could pursue this combination of degrees in Miami which has many of the marine threats experienced around the world and would give her the best overview for her desired career path.